Epidemiological profile of patients with primary bone tumors in a pediatric hospital in southern Brazil over a 10-year period

Abstract

Introduction: Primary bone tumors are rare but clinically relevant pediatric neoplasms, with osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma being the most frequent and among the main causes of oncologic morbidity and mortality in adolescents. Objective: To describe and analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic profile of pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with primary bone tumors in a reference hospital in southern Brazil.
Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 24 patients aged 0–19 years diagnosed between 2014 and 2024. Statistical analysis included Shapiro–Wilk, Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann–Whitney U tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Ewing’s sarcoma was the most frequent histological type (54.2%), followed by osteosarcoma (45.8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 11.67 ± 3.45 years, with male predominance (58.3%). Metastases were present in 37.5% of patients, and 37.5% died, mainly due to disease progression. No statistically significant differences were found between tumor types for any variable (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest a similar clinical pattern between osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, likely influenced by sample size and regional factors. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management remain key to improving outcomes in pediatric oncology.